From Staff Reports

A-B Tech President Hank Dunn recently admitted that, earlier in March, he rushed the swearing-in of Madison County Commissioner Wayne Brigman to A-B Tech’s Board of Trustees.

The move blocked Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar’s appointment to the same board because state law limits allows just one local commissioner at a time to serve.

Dunn reportedly acknowledged in an interview with the Asheville Citizen-Times that the Brigman appointment was meant, in part, to block Fryar and instead appoint board members who are more supportive of the college.

Fryar, who recently was elected as a commissioner, has been a frequent critic of Dunn’s leadership as a private citizen. In 2011, he fought against a 25-cent sales tax to provide $129 million for A-B Tech construction and renovation projects. The measure passed.

The Buncombe commissioners (comprised of four Democrats and three Republicans), in a show of what some observers cited as an example of bipartisanship, unanimously appointed Fryar, a Republican, to represent Buncombe on the A-B Tech board.

Upon learning of Dunn’s maneuver to keep him off the board, Fryar called the A-B Tech president a “Little Hitler” and a “sick little puppy.” In the aftermath of his statement, Fryar issued an apology reprinted in full below.

In the meantime, former Buncombe commissioners’ Chairman Nathan Ramsey, a Republican, who is a first-year state legislator, sponsored a bill that would allow for Fryar to serve on the A-B Tech board. Specifically, the bill, if approved, would allow two commissioners to serve on the board. 

Ramsey reportedly said that the bill would be needed, even if there were no controversy. The bill’s co-sponsors includ Reps. Tim Moffitt, R-Arden; and Michele Presnell, a Republican whose district includes Madison County.

The A-B Tech board held a special meeting March 21and the next day Dunn issued a press release in which he apologized that is reprinted in full below.

The Daily Planet received the following statement from Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar on March 19:

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To the Citizens of Buncombe County:

I am pleased that the Asheville Citizen-Times has pursued coverage of the A-B Tech situation in recent days.

First of all, I apologize for the use of the “Little Hitler” reference to Dr. (Hank) Dunn. Two wrongs do not make a right.  What I intended to convey was a dictatorial style that does not allow room for different opinions.

As a Buncombe County commissioner who opposed this sales tax being placed in a city election, although it included a tax on all Buncombe County residents,

I see my current role as one to oversee the use of these tax dollars in the most economical and beneficial manner.

I see A-B Tech as a great community resource and I want to see it succeed.  What I do not want to see happen is that the Board of Trustees gives up its authority in hiring and evaluating the college president.

I believe that what Dr. Dunn did in the case of working to keep me off the Board of Trustees was beyond his authority and it undermines the authority of the full Board of Trustees.

From what I understand about the situation, three members of the A-B Tech organization orchestrated an underhanded process that may have caused the Madison County (Board of) Commissioners to violate the open meetings law, in an attempt to dictate that I  would not have the opportunity to serve on the Board.

I saw my service on the board as an opportunity to provide my opinions directly and in a timely manner regarding the expenditures of the sales tax income.

Finally, the phrase “sick little puppy” is a mountain expression to indicate that someone is not doing well, especially in the role they should be fulfilling.

I do believe that two executive board members were wrong in helping with this maneuver that prevented myself, or any other Buncombe County commissioner,  from having the opportunity to serve on the A-B Tech board. 

I feel that those involved should remove themselves from the executive board.

Sincerely,

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A-B Tech Community College issued the following “press release” on March 22 from A-B Tech’s Dr. Hank Dunn:

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From the beginning of my tenure, I have sought to act in the best interest of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

I have conducted broad community outreach to build positive relationships and to gain support for the college.

As president, I have also had to make some difficult leadership decisions with a goal of maintaining A-B Tech’s position as a leader among community colleges. 

One of my decisions has not had the intended result. My actions arising over the appointment of a new trustee resulted in widespread concerns and criticisms. In re-examining this decision, I realize in retrospect that I made a mistake. Although I was concerned with the best interest of the College from a philosophical standpoint, I truly regret my mistake.

The Board of Trustees had concerns that they have made clear to me. The Board welcomes differing opinions and the free exchange of ideas resulting in what is best for the College.

Finally, I fully appreciate the right of appointing entities to designate individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees. I am proud of A-B Tech and will continue to act to ensure it is a leader among community colleges.